New Delhi: In yet another notice issued to BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the Election Commission on Sunday sought a reply from her based on a complaint that she was campaigning during the three-day period when she was barred by the panel from doing the same.

Notably, the EC has issued a total of three notices to Sadhvi Pragya since her nomination from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat was announced by the BJP.

Earlier on May 1, the Election Commission barred Sadhvi Pragya Thakur from campaigning for 72 hours starting 6 a.m on Thursday, for seeking votes on religious lines thereby violating the model code of conduct (MCC). In its order, the poll panel “strongly condemned” her remarks and warned her not to repeat “such misconduct” in future. The Commission barred her from holding public meetings, processions, rallies, road shows and giving interviews, and making public utterances in the media in connection with the ongoing elections for three days.

Thakur was issued two notices by the EC — one for her remarks during a TV interview and another for making remarks against former ATS chief Hemant Karkare. In an interview to a television channel over the weekend, Thakur had said that she was among the people who demolished the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 and that she was “proud” of it. “We removed a blot from the country. We went to demolish the structure. I feel extremely proud that God gave me this opportunity and I could do that. We will make sure a Ram temple is constructed at that site,” Thakur told the channel.

Following a backlash, Thakur apologised admitting that Karkare was a “martyr”. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had distanced itself from her remarks.

The 49-year-old is an accused in the Malegaon blasts case in which six people died and around 100 were injured in 2006. She is currently out on bail and her candidature has been challenged in the court by the father of one of the those dying in Malegaon.